Question

Difficulty: EasyGenetics and Heredity

Match each foundational genetic term on the left with its correct biological definition on the right.

  • AlleleAn alternative version or variant form of a specific gene
  • PhenotypeThe observable physical traits or biochemical characteristics of an organism
  • GenotypeThe complete genetic composition or specific combination of alleles in an organism
  • ChromosomeA condensed cellular structure composed of DNA and proteins that carries hereditary information

Answer

Allele matches 'An alternative version or variant form of a specific gene'; Phenotype matches 'The observable physical traits or biochemical characteristics of an organism'; Genotype matches 'The complete genetic composition or specific combination of alleles in an organism'; Chromosome matches 'A condensed cellular structure composed of DNA and proteins that carries hereditary information'.
The pairings correctly match each biological concept with its exact definition: an allele is a specific gene variant, phenotype is the expressed physical trait, genotype is the underlying allele combination, and a chromosome is the structural unit carrying DNA.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the definition of gene variants
Allele corresponds to 'An alternative version or variant form of a specific gene'
Genes often have different forms that code for variations of the same trait.
2
Differentiate between observable traits and genetic code
Phenotype corresponds to 'The observable physical traits or biochemical characteristics of an organism', while Genotype corresponds to 'The complete genetic composition or specific combination of alleles in an organism'
Genotype is the underlying DNA code, whereas phenotype is the physical manifestation of that code.
3
Identify the cellular structure carrying DNA
Chromosome corresponds to 'A condensed cellular structure composed of DNA and proteins that carries hereditary information'
Chromosomes are the discrete packages in which nuclear DNA is organized.

Key Concept

Foundational vocabulary of heredity and genetic organization
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